Persons of Interest: An Intimate Account of Cecily and John Burton

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A world in upheaval; two lives lived under stress … This story is set in the social and political landscape of pre– and post–World War II. It tells two vastly different tales of Cecily and John’s lives in Australia and overseas, as nations clashed, and governments and international organisations tried to remake the world. Cecily Nixon knew that marrying John Burton would be bad for her. But she loved him and, impressed with this handsome, sullen young man and his belief that he could change the world for the better, saw her role in life as to serve the world through John. Cecily’s story is a deeply personal and psychological one of love, duty and betrayal that explores the complexities of relationships. In a world that overwhelmed her, Cecily searched for ‘wholeness’ and delved deep into her psyche to find herself and emerge from John’s shadow. John has been known as an influential and controversial young head of Australia’s Department of External Affairs – and as a would-be politician. It is less known that he was also an innovative farmer, bookseller, entrepreneur, arts patron and writer. He received international acclaim for his later work in conflict analysis and resolution. These combined stories of courage and achievement unfold amid political intrigue and psychological trauma. ASIO surveillance, love triangles, loyalty, infidelity and tragedy all play their part in the Burtons’ lives. Acknowledgements Prologue 1. Courting controversy 2. Cecily’s travels with Judith Wright 3. A shared heritage 4. John’s father: A radical, mission-driven Methodist 5. Embracing opportunities 6. Paradise lost 7. Honeymoon in dangerous times 8. The sinking of the Arandora Star 9. A remarkable rise in the public service 10. The Burton plot: Reconstruction and Nugget Coombs 11. Domesticity and babies 12. Australia on the world stage 13. Farming with an ‘accommodating wife’ 14. A controversial head of department 15. Reshaping Australia’s foreign policy 16. The Gnomes of Melbourne 17. Political suicide 18. John’s short stint as high commissioner in Ceylon 19. The beginning of the end of a marriage 20. Cecily’s life-changing encounter 21. China: Neither ‘dead nor red’ 22. Paying the price for a mission of peace 23. An interlude: Farming the Burton way 24. Holding it together 25. The Petrov inquiry 26. Indonesia with ASIO in tow 27. A shift to the city: Enterprises and infidelity 28. The Snowy Mountains bus, bubble cars and other ventures 29. A family in crisis 30. A love triangle 31. Staging musicals: ‘The Girl’ and ‘The Bloke’ 32. Turmoil 33. The breakup 34. Tugs of war of love and divorce 35. Looking to Jung 36. Coming into her own: Counselling Cecily style 37. Revisiting relationship difficulties 38. John’s ‘real career’ 39. Coming full circle: Cecily, Robert, John and all 40. A family shattered: Loss of Clare 41. Blue autumn: Cecily passes Select bibliography Пустая страница Пустая страница